Online charter school proposed for District 427

SYCAMORE – Sycamore School District 427 could add an online charter school next school year if the Board of Education approves.

Virtual Learning Solutions of St. Charles submitted a proposal to the board in February to operate the multidistrict charter school, which would be known as Illinois Virtual Charter School at Fox River Valley.

The school would provide an online learning experience for students who chose to enroll.

Students enrolled in the charter school would not be eligible to enroll at a District 427 school simultaneously.

As mandated by Illinois Charter Law, District 427 will hold a public hearing at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Sycamore Middle School to discuss the possibility of adding the school to the district.

The Sycamore Board of Education has 30 days after the hearing to approve or deny the charter.

The board also has the option to “yield to the (Illinois State Charter) Commission in light of the complexities of joint administration,” as stated in the proposal.

If approved, the online school would be available this fall to students who wish to enroll.

District 427 Superintendent Kathy Countryman said she would not comment on how the charter school would affect the district until after the public hearing was held and the district received more information.

“We’re looking forward to the having the public hearing next week,” she said at Tuesday’s school board meeting.

The school board will make a final decision on the charter school at the regularly scheduled meeting at 7 p.m. April 9.